A77608:396
Heaven on Earth
Heaven on earth or a serious discourse touching a well-grounded assurance of mens everlasting happiness and blessedness. Discovering the nature of assurance, the possibility of attaining it, the causes, springs, and degrees of it, with the resolution of several weighty questions. By Thomas Brooks, preacher of the Gospel at Margarets Fishstreet-Hill.Heaven on earth or a serious discourse touching a wel-grounded assurance of mens everlasting happiness and blessedness. Discovering the nature of assurance, the possibility of attaining it, the causes, springs, and degrees of it, with the resolution of several weighty questions. By Thomas Brooks, preacher of the Gospel at Margarets Fishstreet-Hill.
London: printed by R.I. for John Hancock, 1654
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
The fourth Property of that Faith that accompanies Salvation, is this, It purifies the heart, it is a heart-purifying1 faith: Purifying their hearts by faith. Faith hath two hands, one to lay hold on Christ, and another to sweep the heart, which is Christs house. Faith knows that Christ is of a Dove-like nature, he loves to lie clean, and sweet; Faith hath a neat Housewife's hand, as well as an Eagles eye; Faith is as good at purging out of sin, as it ⟨p. 388⟩is at discovering of sin. There is a cleansing quality in Faith, as well as a healing quality in Faith. Sound faith will purge the soul from the love of sin, from a delight in sin, and from the2 reign and dominion of sin. Sin shall not have dominion over you; for ye are 3not under the Law, but under Grace. Now Faith purges and cleanseth the heart from sin; sometimes by pressing, and putting God to make good the promises of Sanctification. Faith takes that promise in Jere. 33. 8. And I will 4cleanse them from all their iniquity, whereby they have sinned against me; and that promise in Micah. 7. 19. He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities, and thou wilt cast all their sins into the bottom of the sea. And that promise in Psal. 65. 3. Iniquities prevail against me; as for our transgressions, thou shalt purge them away. And that promise in Isai. 1. 25. And I will turn my hand upon thee, and purely purge away thy dross, and take away all thy Tin. And spreads them before the Lord, and will never leave urging and pressing, seeking and suing, till God makes them good. Faith ⟨p. 389⟩